Getting together with Jesse Colin Young
It was one of the anthems of the late 1960s, the Youngblood’s “Get Together,” playing from top 40s stations, at outdoor concerts, and repeatedly on TV ads as the official song of the National Council of Christians and Jews. “Come on people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together. Try to love one another right now,” was a folk-rock rallying cry that was both Vietnam... READ MORE
Fats Waller to Shakespeare this summer
If you’re stage-struck year-round, you’ll have plenty of theatrical offerings in the upcoming months to keep you entertained. Baltimore’s Arena Players, the oldest continuously operating African-American community theater in the United States, will put on the popular Fats Waller musical, Ain’t Misbehavin’ from June 8 to July 1 (Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 4... READ MORE
Play peels back layers of family mystery
A man, struck with the shocking, tragic loss of both parents in a car accident, comes across a small, nondescript suitcase among his father’s detritus. Opening it, he finds letters — scores and scores of letters in a language he can’t decipher, many imprinted with an emblem known throughout modern history as a symbol of absolute evil — the swastika. The actions — and... READ MORE
Jurors announced for amateur art contest
The Beacon’s Celebration of the Arts — an online competition for amateur artists over 50 — continues to invite entries from throughout the Baltimore/Washington area in four categories: Painting and Drawing, Sculpture/Jewelry/Pottery/Mixed Media, Photography and Poetry. Prizes include cash awards and gallery showings (including a showing in downtown D.C. at the Pepco Gallery, and... READ MORE
Stories of presidential retreat Camp David
From re-smoothing rumpled snow to dressing walkways with perfectly imperfect fallen leaves, much goes into creating a soothing — and orderly and secure — rustic mountain retreat for U.S. presidents. “Everything looks so natural, but it’s kind of perfect,” retired Rear Admiral Michael Giorgione, a former Camp David commanding officer, said in a recent interview. Released to... READ MORE
How much do you know about pollinators?
Does your morning include a cup of coffee, a mug of hot cocoa, or a glass of orange juice? You have pollinator insects to thank. From almonds to zucchini, most fruit and vegetable crops, nuts and seeds rely on pollinators. In fact, pollinators are critical to the production of one-third of our food and beverages. Additionally, fiber crops (such as cotton) and hay to feed livestock... READ MORE
Local authors’ books enlighten, educate
The Bibliophile We are blessed to have living among us in this area talented writers, journalists and medical professionals whose books add light and depth to our understanding and knowledge. Treating People Well: The Extraordinary Power of Civility at Work and in Life, by Lea Berman and Jeremy Bernard, 256 pages, Scribner hardcover, 2018. This practical guide to improving your... READ MORE
On the James River, glimpsing bald eagles
Mike Ostrander pilots his six-person pontoon boat down a five-mile stretch of the James River, known as Jefferson’s Reach. Passengers first see osprey, and soon after Captain Mike points to eagle chicks’ heads peering over the edge of a nest. “There are two great blue heron rookeries at one spot near Jones Neck. One I can see, and one not, as it’s on an island hidden by trees,” ... READ MORE
Healing through movement and dance
When May Kesler was a little girl, her mother, a pediatrician, noticed she walked with her toes turned inward and suggested she try ballet classes to help correct it. “She gave me a book about a young girl who had weak legs, and her doctor told her to take ballet classes. She did, and turned out to be the star of the show,” she recalled. Like the girl in the story, Kesler fell in... READ MORE
Fairfax 50+ Podcast – Talk about Celebration of the Arts
Fairfax 50+ is a podcast series featuring discussions on issues, services and activities of interest to residents 50 and over. On this edition, host Jim Person talks with Stuart Rosenthal, publisher of the Beacon Newspapers, a group of 4 regional newspapers that also cover issues of interest to the 50+ audience. He’s here to tell us about the paper’s Celebration of the Arts program... READ MORE
